Kyle Locke knows how to make an introduction. The 16-year-old defenceman opened the scoring on the power play Saturday in his first home game with the Cambridge Winter Hawks, kick-starting the team to a 7-1 win over the Guelph Hurricanes at the Galt Arena Gardens.

This came a night after his initial game of the season with his new team, where he earned an assist, as Cambridge took a point in a 5-4 overtime loss in Stratford.

Locke broke the news himself that he was joining the team on Twitter, albeit prematurely, but the Aurora native was probably just excited that he was going back to defence.

After starting the season at his regular position in Guelph, head coach Scott Walker moved him to forward after the team acquired blueliner Brock Beukeboom and suffered some injuries up front.

“I’m just looking to come out here and play my position, do well and keep it simple,” Locke said after Saturday’s win.

“I’m going to work hard and develop as a player, so when I go back up there I can impress people.”

Locke added that a tight dressing room helped make the transition to a new team and league easy.

“The guys are great. They’ve welcomed me as a player and I’m just looking forward to contributing to the team and hopefully we can go for a Cherrey Cup.”

While Locke made his debut on the weekend, Todd Bannerman was a welcome sight, not only for his Winter Hawks teammates, but his linemate Chris Taylor.

Sidelined with a shoulder injury on Dec. 9, Taylor managed just one full strength goal in four games, while Bannerman was on the mend. Since returning Friday, Taylor had three goals and three assists and Bannerman had four assists on Saturday, as well as two on Friday. Not a bad haul.

Bannerman earned his first assist of the night on Locke’s opening goal, then took a break on the scoresheet while the Winter Hawks built up a 3-1 lead, with goals by Brennon Pearce and Cam Pentsa. Brock Malatches had the lone Guelph goal.

Bannerman then had the helper on Max Lamontagne’s 13th goal of the season - just 15.1 seconds before the end of the second - and on both of Taylor’s third period goals. Mitch Klie, the third on the line with Bannerman and Taylor, rounded out the scoring with his second goal in as many games.

“I’ve played with him (Taylor) for a while,” said Bannerman, as the two are good friends and share an apartment off campus while attending the University of Guelph. The pair were also teammates in Oakville and went to prep school together in Maine.

“He always seems to put the puck in the net when I give it to him. It’s clicking right now, so that’s nice.”

In Stratford, Pentsa had a pair of goals, while Taylor and Klie had singles.

Hawks nest: With the signing of Locke, Jordan Pettitt, who is currently sidelined with an injury, has been sent to the team’s affiliate in Ayr.